The Order of Business is No. 1, Second Stage, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 20 minutes and those of other Senators ten minutes. Senators may share time.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreeable. I understand the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) (Amendment) Bill is scheduled to be taken before the end of the session. Will the Leader ensure that the report on the background and circumstances of the Sheedy affair by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights will be considered before we debate the Bill? The Houses of the Oireachtas asked the Joint Committee to inquire into the circumstances of the affair.
The case which has been made here many times in the past for a press council is now stronger than ever. Last weekend we experienced a new low in Irish journalism and many journalists admitted as much. The absence of a self-regulatory authority in the media, including the newspapers, has created a vacuum which can only be filled by legislation. It is time to consider whether there is a need for privacy laws or a press council. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on this matter.
The Order of Business is agreeable. When is it proposed to take No. 9, the Report Stage of the Criminal Justice (United Nations Convention against Torture) Bill, 1998. It is important to try to take it before the end of the session, especially in view of the problems in various parts of the world to which this legislation would apply.
I compliment the outgoing Lord Mayor, Senator Joe Doyle, on his excellent year of service to the city of Dublin. He has done a tremendous year's work in his own modest fashion. He took on very difficult issues, not least the question of racism in the city. I also congratulate the incoming Lord Mayor, Mary Freehill, on her appointment in this millennium year. I am sure she will do an equally fine job.
I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to attend the House to debate his millennium package of reform proposals. This is the centenary of the foundation of local government. I have already mentioned a millennium home purchase scheme. However, given the establishment of special policy and area committees and changes following the passing of the Education Act, it would be appropriate if we had a thorough look at proposals that might be made before the Seanad rises. Most Senators are elected by county councillors and county borough councillors.
I agree with Senator Manning's remarks on the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) (Amendment) Bill. It would be inappropriate to deliberate on the Bill without the benefit of the report on the Sheedy affair by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights.
I wish to raise the recent revelations concerning the murders of the two solicitors in Northern Ireland, Pat Finucane and Rosemary Nelson. The suggestion of RUC collusion in these murders is a frightening vista because not only were these crimes against humanity but they struck at the very heart of the legal system and the hopes of those people who felt that justice could be had by all in Northern Ireland. Will the Leader consider a debate in this context because in any country where the legal establishment is threatened in this way people close ranks, even in developing countries or those in which there are conflicts? In the positive context of the peace process it is particularly important that the Nationalist community would feel that it will also get equal consideration.
Two stories in today's newspapers are very welcome. The first is the very good news that the ugliest building in Ireland, the nurses' home at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, will be demolished next year and the second is that Archer's garage, which was demolished during the June bank holiday weekend, will be reconstructed by the developer following public pressure on him, Dublin Corporation and the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. The Irish Times also stated that it was learned yesterday that the Minister has asked his officials to examine whether the consolidated planning Bill, currently being drafted, could recoup windfall gains made by developers who demolish listed buildings without permission.
The Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill, 1998 – Report Stage, is before the House tomorrow and it would be much more efficient to include such an amendment in that Bill. We may be able to do so tomorrow and I am sure the House would facilitate the Leader and the Minister. There could be a delay of a day or two to amend the Bill so that this new legislation could be introduced. We are almost at the point of passing this planning legislation. It appears simplistic that the surreptitious work carried out over the June bank holiday weekend could happen again unless there are tight controls. If the Minister believes tight controls could be introduced, let us do it in this Bill, which is before the House tomorrow, and we will have them in place before the summer recess.
Will the Leader give consideration, if not in this session, early in the next session, to a debate on the recent report of the ESRI, which outlined central thinking on regional policy post-2000 in the context of Objective One and Objective One in Transition? I raise it today particularly in light of the fact that in my home town of Drumshanbo 50 workers face the prospect of unemployment over the next ten days following the closure of Leitrim Foods. Will the Leader convey the concern and shock of the people of Drumshanbo and its surrounding area to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and ask her to direct the County Leitrim task force, which she initiated some months ago following the closure of another factory in Ballinamore, to immediately set about working to ensure that an alternative industry could be established? It is my intention to table a motion on the Adjournment in order to get further information from the Tánaiste. I would be grateful if the Leader would convey the absolute shock there is in a town that has suffered appallingly over the past ten years on the economic front.
I wish to raise a serious and important issue with the Leader, the short legislation in relation to the Intoxicating Liquor Act, which is designed for the benefit of the tourism industry. It defies logic how this will benefit tourists because the VFI, the public or the unions do not want this totally insane suggestion that public houses can stay open all night on New Year's Eve. I want to bring this to the attention of the House.
I understand a Bill dealing with these matters will come before the House shortly. We cannot have a Second Stage debate on the Bill on the Order of Business.
I am bringing it to the attention of the Minister prior to the introduction of the legislation. It defies logic in terms of how it will benefit the tourism industry, and matters which would benefit the industry will not be included in the Bill. I wish to bring to the Minister's attention that the country is against it. We have heard about the millennium bug in the computer industry.
I cannot allow the Senator to proceed any further along these lines. The Senator has made his point to the Leader.
Most of the millennium bugs will be on the streets on New Year's Day or night.
I support Senator Ó Murchú's call on the Northern issue. I also support Senator Manning's call regarding the press. Many years ago I tabled a motion calling for the establishment of a press council. However, there were only three speakers – Senator Manning, Senator Cassidy and me – and matters have not improved since. It is scandalous that recently a respectable newsreader had to contradict lies which were written about her. Last week, the private life of a respectable RTE presenter was publicised. This is of no interest to the public. Everybody to whom I spoke about it was disgusted by it. There is a need for privacy laws.
There should be a debate in the House on the media and whether a press council or improvements in the privacy laws are required. The families of people in public life are affected. Recently a sportsman was forced to discuss his sexual orientation. This is scandalous and something must be done about it. The House should take the lead and debate the issue. We should try to bring about some improvements in the privacy of people in responsible positions.
I echo Senator Farrell's comments. However, there are considerable difficulties because much of this revelatory material comes through the Murdoch empire. Regrettably, the Irish media has been penetrated by Murdoch's press. It will be difficult to control and, lamentably, people buy those types of rags – I am told they buy them for the sports pages.
I wish to raise this issue of St. Ita's Hospital in Portrane, which the House has debated on a number of occasions. Will the Leader transmit to the Minister for Health and Children our concerns following the recent pollution of the water system in the hospital? I understand the hospital authorities responded very quickly, but it is worrying that E.coli bacteria were found. There is a need to trace the source because the people involved are very vulnerable.
Does the Leader have any further news regarding the arrest of the Japanese woman? I understand the matter was raised by Deputy De Rossa in the other House, but I have further information. Perhaps I could speak to the Leader after the Order of Business to discuss whether the matter could be raised on the Adjournment.
Reference was made to the local government Bill. I concur in the congratulations to our distinguished colleague, Senator Joe Doyle. This is the last time he will be in a position to become the mayor because, following the recent passage of legislation, Members of the Oireachtas will be precluded. We were lucky to have Senator Doyle in the position for the last year. However, having passed various Bills, having secured recognition in the Constitution, having got wages and conditions, our friends in local authorities are still behaving like naughty school children about the mayoralty. They are treating it like a pie which they hand around among themselves. It is time that stopped. An arrangement for the next five years as to who will be the Lord Mayor of the city of Dublin or other cities is unacceptable; there should be direct elections.
Although it is very interesting, the Senator's comments are not relevant to the Order of Business.
In that case I will not say any more about it. I will be guided by you.
I recognise that the purpose of the Sea Pollution Bill is to amend existing legislation. However, I wish there was more time for it. I contacted a number of expert groups in this area for briefing material and they said they did not have time to produce it. This makes it difficult for Members to make informed contributions to the Bill.
I echo Senator Quinn's comments about the demolition of Archer's garage. Turvey House, which was the subject of controversy in a tribunal, and No. 2 Millbourne Avenue, a house associated with James Joyce, were also demolished illegally. It would be excellent and preferable if we could fine such people £1 million and put the money into a heritage fund. It is a nonsense to recreate Archer's Garage, it will not be the garage built in the 1940s and never will be. Those responsible should be fined and the money used to support genuine heritage projects. We do not need a rebuilt and refabricated Disneyland.
I again ask the Leader to arrange a debate on child care before the summer recess. The report of the interdepartmental committee will be published during the summer and the Minister for Finance should come to the House to hear our views. It is time we received a commitment from him to allocate in the region of £200 million in the next Estimates. Anyone who canvassed in the local elections knows that this issue will not go away and it should be addressed by the Government in a meaningful manner, in addition to action taken already. We must apply funding to the demand side of child care. I hope the Minister will take this on board and come to the House before the recess because this is an important issue.
Has the Leader received word from the Taoiseach about allowing the Government's nominee for European Commissioner to appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs? I am sure the House agrees it would be anomalous if our nominee for Commissioner was questioned in Europe but was not allowed, in advance, the opportunity to appear before a committee of these Houses.
Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Science to reconsider his decision not to grant child care support to special schools catering for children with physical disabilities? These are the most vulnerable children in our school system and the decision not to grant child care support is wrong and should be reconsidered.
Will the Leader arrange a debate, as soon as possible, on our development co-operation programme? The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, presented today the programme's annual report for 1998, which showed that Ireland is the only DAC country which increased, both in percentage and real terms, its budget provision for this purpose. In case anyone thinks this is a Mickey Mouse figure, the total amount of taxpayers' money allocated for Irish aid this year is £178 million. We should debate this matter at an early stage because it is vital that people know how much we spend and that we are the only OECD country which has increased its provision for foreign aid – from 0.16 per cent of GDP in 1992 to 0.35 per cent in 1999. It was announced in Brussels yesterday that the overseeing committee of the DAC gave a more than favourable report on Ireland. We have one of the fastest growing aid programmes of any donor country. We focus on six countries at present and a request was made last week that we add Sierra Leone to that group. We should debate this matter fully and the sooner the better.
I also ask the Leader to bring to the Government's attention that, as a result of yesterday's court case in Cork, local authorities will be at a great disadvantage in implementing the Act passed in 1997 to allow them to evict anti-social tenants. As a result of what happened in Cork yesterday, every local authority in the country will be at a disadvantage when they want to evict people who are causing drugs and crime problems. If legislation is needed it must be produced urgently because, as has been said, it will take 12 months for a judicial review of the Cork case to be heard. Few people can seek a judicial review because of the enormous cost involved. If it were not for the moneys going into the house involved, which are the proceeds of a drugs empire, this judicial review could not be heard. This is a matter of extreme urgency and I ask the Leader of the House to consult with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform—
(Interruptions).
—and the Minister for the Environment and Local Government on how we can solve this major problem.
I support Senator Ó Murchú's comments about the investigations being carried out into the murders of the solicitors Pat Finucane and Rosemary Nelson. This is not the first time I have raised the issue in this House. I was appalled to see last night's television programme on this matter. I was particularly concerned by the contribution of the RUC Chief Constable. It is time for an independent investigation. Anyone who saw the programme last night would have no doubt about the involvement of the security forces in Northern Ireland.
Senator Manning called for the report of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights to be taken before the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) (Amendment) Bill. I will see what can be done to enable that to happen.
Senators Manning, Farrell and Norris expressed their concern and called for a debate on new privacy laws or the setting up of a press council. I can make time available for such a debate. As Senator Farrell said, we had a debate on this matter previously in the House and such a debate was never more wanted than now. I will have time set aside for such a debate at the earliest possible opportunity.
Senator Henry spoke about No. 9 on the Order Paper. I will come back to the House on that matter on tomorrow's Order of Business.
Senator Costello congratulated the former Lord Mayor of Dublin, our distinguished Senator Joe Doyle, and I want to be associated with the Senator's remarks in wishing Ms Mary Freehill all the best in this important year, which will see out the old and ring in the new millennium. Congratulations were also offered to Senator Doyle on the great work he has done for the underprivileged in his native city of Dublin.
Senator Costello inquired about the Minister for the Environment and Local Government's intentions with regard to millennium packages and schemes and I will inquire of the Minister in that regard. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Séamus Brennan, who is in charge of millennium activities, will accept an invitation to come to the House at a future date to discuss this matter.
Senators Ó Murchú and Bonner called for an independent investigation into the murder of Rosemary Nelson and Pat Finucane. I agree with that request. I will put time aside for a debate and pass on their views to the Minister.
Senator Quinn asked for his suggestions to be included in the Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill which will come before the House tomorrow. I will pass the Senator's views on to the Minister.
Senator Mooney called for a debate on the ESRI report, particularly in relation to the regional policy of Objective One and Objective Two. I have no problem in putting time aside to debate that issue. The Senator also called on the Tánaiste to reappoint the County Leitrim task force in relation to job losses in his native town, Drumshanbo. It is fair to say there is no better ambassador for County Leitrim in either House than Senator Mooney. I will convey his concerns to the Tánaiste following the Order of Business.
Senator Caffrey expressed his concern about the all night opening of pubs on 31 January 1999 to celebrate the new millennium and the wisdom with which it is being proposed. We all have had representations on this matter and Members of both Houses will have an opportunity to express their views in the coming weeks. I understand various changes are proposed in the legislation. For example, the holy hour from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday will be looked at to allow for more flexibility, given that some people eat out on Sunday and like to have a drink with their meal. Changes are proposed to the opening hours on Saturday night which is now the big night for socialising. Sunday night is no longer a night for socialising because people must go to work early Monday morning and people return to their areas of employment on Sunday evenings. It is proposed to allow late night bar extensions on Saturday nights.
Parish priests will be spinning in their graves.
Some 68 per cent of people attend Mass on Saturday evening and this change in the legislation will make it possible for many of them to enjoy a Saturday night out. Many people have reservations about the all night opening of pubs on new year's eve. Members are receiving many representations in this regard and both Houses will have a chance to air their views to the Minister. I have always found him to be very open minded when it came to doing the right thing at the right time. I have no doubt he will listen to all our views and act in the best interest of everyone concerned.
Senator Norris expressed his views on the alleged temporary pollution of the water supply at St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane. I will pass on his concerns to the Minister.
Senator Cox called for a debate on child care and on the Minister for Finance to be present in the House when the debate takes place. I propose to have this debate in this session.
Senator Coghlan asked that the new EU Commissioner be invited to attend the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs. I will pass on his views to the Taoiseach.
Senator Kett called on the Minister for Education and Science to reconsider the grant support for child care. I wish to be associated with this request and I will pass on his views to the Minister.
Senator Lanigan called for a debate on overseas development. I will make time available for this debate. He also raised his concerns regarding yesterday's court judgment and the problems facing local authorities and their tenants throughout the country. I understand the judicial review could take approximately two years to complete rather than the one year first mooted. This Government must seriously consider the matter and I will pass on his views to the Minister following the Order of Business.
Order of Business agreed to.